West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-07-01

amazed that the public submit as
they do to being plundered.
We have not time and space to an
swer our friend paragraph by para
graph.
Mfr. Hewitt is in accord with Beck,
Carlisle, Morrison and professions of
the Democratic platforms. He de-
sires the tariff placed on revenue
basis. He is in favor of tariff for
revenue, as distinguished from tar
iff for protection. Sam Randall.
Kenna, Camden, III. G. Davis, Phil.
Snyder, and that element in the par
ty generally, co-operated with the Re-
publicans to prevent any reform of
the tariff; Hewitt, proposed,a as COM
promise, to put certain raw materials
on the free list. Having read his
speeches we believe that he was ac-
tuated by no motive save desire to
advance the welfare of the body of
the people. 1t is very certain that
MANY of the raw materials he select
ed did not concern any Of his own
enterprises 1t is very certain that
Morrison, Carlisle, and those acting
with Mr. Hewitt, could not by posi-
bility expect any benefit that would
not be shared by the general public.
Let it not be forgotten that the Tin
Plate Association sent Jarrett to
Illinois to defeat Morrison's re.elec-
tion.
There are localities in the South,
and especially in West Virginia,
where pig iron can be made cheaper
than it can be imported. If the tar
if be reduced and railroad discrimi-
nation be prevented, such localities
will certainly outstrip less favored
places. The tariff fosters combina-
ton and thus hinders individual en-
terprise. Twenty independent indus.
tries are of more benefit to commu-
nifty than double that number under
a single management. Combina
tions, which mass gigantic capital
are the worse feature Of the age and
some means must be found to wake
up the people to an appreciation of
it's consequences.
Our proposition was, that protec
tion does not enrich country. 1t
concentrates wealth, but the body of
the people will not be as prosperous
as they would be without it. In this
connection we pointed to Mexico. 1t
is no answer to tell us that Africa
is free trade country. The unciv
ilized tribes of Africa, although 200,-
100000, have no trade.
Are you aware that sugar costs in
England about onc-half Of the price
paid here? Why should it not sell as
cheap with us rs in England? Again,
why should l pay tax of Is cents
on every ton of coal? During the
past winter my coal tax was SIS.
Not one penny went into the treasu-
ry. The money was taken out of my
pocket. Who got it?
The tariff tax on coffee accustom-
ed our people to pay a high price for
it. Congress removed the duty and
Brazil Immediately levied an export
tax. Hence the price was maintain
ed. The production of coffee has so
largely increased, that if Congress
had never placed duty upon it, the
price would be very much lower.
Our farmers grow poorer because
the prices Of their products are less,
while the cost Of production has in
creased. To diversity crops will not
remedy the evil. The disease was
caused by policies which compel far
mers to pay tribute to the protected
class. The laws of economy are in
exorable. A privileged class always
grows richer and the unprivileged
class grows poorer. The remedy is
to elect to Congress men who have
studied these subjects and who will
not betray the people in order to
gain the support of those who plum
der the masses. Intelligent voting
will remedy the evil much more
quickly than diversifying crops.
Several causes cheaper Jefferson
lands; chief among them is the fact
that the B. d o. has Disseminated
against this section. But we have
not space to go into this matter
now.
@r---~=
OPINION IN WETZEL.